In the Night Kitchen

In the Night Kitchen, written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, is not a book that is controversial in its' message like the other books I have discussed, but rather, it is the illustrations that hold concern with parents and teachers. In the story a boy is transported into the night kitchen in the company of some cake making bakers. The story while, already a little strange at this point, gets even weirder as the boy is depicted completely nude, displaying a pair of testicles and a penis, as he swims in cake batter and milk. This is one of the only controversial books that I must say is a bit too much. I did a bit of further research on this book, and I found a couple of google sources that explained Sendak depicted him nude, so that the cake batter would not get on the boy's pajamas. I really do not buy this explanation, there are so many perspective and graphic tactics that Sendak could have done to avoid putting full on frontal child nudity into a children's picture book. To be perfectly frank, the book was just plain weird, and a little pointless.

Oliver Button is a Sissy

Oliver Button is a Sissy, written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, is a story about gender identity and being different. This book might upset some parents, because it does portray a boy who likes to tap dance and be artistic, but the message of this book is just something that kids will have to learn, that everyone is different. A lot like the character Joe from James Howe's The Misfits, Oliver Button is a male role model that shows how the male gender identity can be interpreted in different ways. I love how brave and strong the character Oliver is, it models how even though he doesn't like to do "boy things", he still has the strength and stamina to be himself, a lesson all kids can benefit from hearing.

The Lorax

The Lorax, written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss. This is a classic children's book that conveys the message of sustainable development and conservation. The reason that this book has been labeled as controversial, was that parents in California thought that the book was too anti-industry. I think that to say this book is too anti-industry is taking the message to an extreme. This book is about conservation, yes, but also talks about responsibility; the Truffula tuft trees are shown to make great things, and are a great resource, but it's over using that we need to be careful about. I think this is a very important story to tell kids, because ultimately kids are the ones who are going to be responsible for the Earth in the future, and if we can get them thinking more about sustainability, then maybe they will be able to solve some of today's most pressing issues on energy, pollution, and hunger.

And Tango Makes Three

And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, is a beautiful story that took place in the New York Zoo, in which two male penguins were given an egg to hatch and raise as their own, and that penguin chick that was born was named Tango. In the story the reader follows Tango's family as they show him everything about being a penguin. I really like this book, because this book shows how love is perfectly natural, extending kids views on the world and alternative life styles. I think that it is silly that parents might find this book controversial, I mean it is a true story, this story of love and family actually happened in the New York City Zoo. I think that if the reader really looks at this book, they will see that it is about family, and how family is always there for each other and loves each other.

The Misfits

The Misfits, by James Howe. Oh my goodness! I know that we only had to read about half of this book at a time, but it was so good! I ended up finishing it in about five days. I thought it was really interesting that Howe chose to write the story from the perspective of the "fat kid" of the four misfits, as it seems to be a marginalized perspective when writing about kids who don't fit in. I thought that it was really cleaver how the author inspired the gang of five to come up with the no-names party for their school election. This is an issue that kids still face in school today, and this is a really clever way to get kids to start thinking about what they call other and what they themselves get called. It really made me think when Bobby made his speech, and finally came out about his mother and why he ate those sandwiches during the third grade. I felt a real connection to Bobby's situation as I have lost my father just last year. I myself made six stockpots of my father's home made chicken noodle soup for my wedding as a kind of way to heal, so I have a strong connection to this character. The characters of this story have the potential of being that connection for kids who may be going through similar situations. I think that it is absolutely abhorring that there are parents who think that this book is inappropriate for kids, if anything it should be a required reading in sixth grade, if not for connection sake, but to prepare kids for middle school, show them that there are people out there different than themselves, and that they need to be understanding and caring individuals to their classmates in order to create a positive school experience for everyone. Kids also need to know that it's okay to be brave, as Bobby tells his classmates at the end of the novel.

My Friend Rabbit

My Friend Rabbit, written and illustrated Eric Rohmann. This is a story with minimal text, but the story is rich with visual dialog as Rabbit tries to get his friend mouses' airplane out of a tree, with the help of the other animals in the forest. I was told by a very trusted librarian from my elementary school days, "Don't be afraid to go for the simple books, they can be great spark books." This is a silly story that kids love to add their own words to, and the thick thins make the illustrations makes these pictures just pop into your mind. Rabbit did get that plane, however Mouse and Rabbit ended up in the tree with the plane, but don't worry, Rabbit has an idea! So I guess the question I would ask my students concerning this book would be, how would you get the plane down? How can we think differently? Thinking outside the box is what I would want my students to gain from this story.

When the Root Children Wake Up

When the Root Children Wake Up, retold by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Ned Bittinger. Oh my goodness! I love the illustrations in this book! I tried to find out more on Ned Bittenger, but all I could find was that he has made his career as a portrait artist, but the illustrations speak for themselves. This story is about a personification about the four seasons and how the root children behave as Aunt spring comes and goes, just to be followed by cousin summer, and then Uncle Fall. What a great way to talk about different literary devices with young children. I read this story to my reading case study child, and she absolutley loved this book, she made wonderful predictions and pointed out great things in the illustrations like the hidden wildlife.